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Unless you’ve been hired to design the light show for the next big rock ’n’ roll act, don’t be that guy who shines a laser pointer at everything.

Michael Jackson – “Rock With You

26-year-old Brett Lee Scott of Buttonwillow, Cali. recently discovered that laser pointing isn’t always a good idea. Early this week, a Central California federal court sentenced the young man for firing multiple laser pointers at a Sheriff’s helicopter late last year. When federal prosecutors asked him why he was shining the powerfully annoying red light at a police helicopter, he responded with a simple claim: he was bored.

If you are bored, there are literally thousands of better things you could be doing with yourself. You could visit California’s nude beaches , or go on an LA Chocolate Chip Cookie tour, or start putting together your outfox for Jack’s 9th Show. Unfortunately for Scott, he won’t be able to do any of those things, because he will be spending the next 21 months in prison.

While facing jail time for a silly prank may seem drastic, laser strikes against aerial vehicles is a serious offense on a national scale. The terrifying experience may cause temporary blindness in pilots, and with over 17,000 laser strikes since 2005, laser pointing is quickly becoming a national security threat.

Benjamin Wagner, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of California, believes that Scott’s actions are, “a truly senseless crime—and a very serious one. Defendants like Mr. Scott, who thoughtlessly point lasers at an aircraft for their short-sighted amusement, put lives at risk and create the very real possibility that a needless tragedy will occur. My office will continue to prosecute these cases vigorously and will work with the FBI and our local law enforcement partners to send the message that this behavior will not be tolerated.”